The Department of Chemical Engineering held its 2007-2008 Awards Convocation April 17 in the lobby of the Rozsa Center. The Convocation is held each year to honor the graduating seniors, as well as to recognize the support of our industrial partners, alumni and friends who contribute to the success of the department.

The Convocation M.C. was Dr. Faith Morrison, and the featured speaker was Karen Milkkola-Swager of Mosaic Phosphates, MP, Inc. Karen is currently Manager of Mine Strategy and Execution, Phos-phate Operations, a position she has held since 2004. Her responsibilities include developing and executing medium and long-term mining strategy, and measuring and executing synergies identified for the phosphate minerals group worth $24 million over three years.

She has also identified additional synergy savings of $15 million over three years. Prior to joining Mosaic, Karen spent 10 years at Cargill Incorporated in several different capacities, including Plant Metallurgist, Chemical Lab Supervisor, Assistant Mining Superintendent, and Engineering Manager, a position in which she was responsible for all process and

project engineering for four phosphate mining operations. Karen also served as Engineering Intern and Maintenance Supervisor at General Motors Corporation. The holder of Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Metallurgical Engineering from Michigan Tech, Karen is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Florida. She is a member of the Society of Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, and is also a member of the Florida Institute of Phosphate Research Ben-eficiation and Column Flotation Tech-nical Advisory Committee.

Karen told the graduating seniors that they “have accomplished a great deal,” and that she wanted to inspire them to “go out and make a difference.” Other highlights of the 2008 event included a tribute by Dr. Tony Rogers for retiring Professor Bruce Barna, undergraduate student awards, and a history of Perry’s Chemical Engineering Handbook, delivered by Dr. Dan Crowl. The 2008 event was attended by members of the MTU Presidential Council of Alumnae. Written By: Dr. Sean Clancey